Understanding Insurance & Claims

What is covered

Types of roof damage covered by your insurance will depend on your policy’s terms and the reasons your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Typically, an insurance policy covers problems that are sudden, accidental, or are caused by events such as wind, fire, hail or the weight of snow.

Sometimes the lifespan of the roof is shortened because of the damage that occurred, and sometimes your insurer may cover the cost to replace the entire roof even if it’s only partially damaged. For example, if your roof has traditional asphalt shingles damaged by hail strikes, an insurance adjuster would count how many strikes occurred within a section in order to determine the impact on the lifespan of the roof. If there are enough strikes, the roof lifespan might be substantially impacted and would need to be replaced.  And sometimes even if a roof isn’t leaking per se, the erosion or strikes might compromise the integrity of the roof – meaning a roof won’t last as long as it should have lasted otherwise.

What To Do

  • As soon as possible after a natural disaster, major storm or roof hail damage (when it is safe) start assessing the condition of your roof
  • If you notice visible damage, leaks, or other problems, call Blackhill Roofing Systems to come inspect your roof
  • Even if your roof looks okay on the outside, it’s important to get it inspected if you’ve experienced a major weather event or similar occurrence that could cause damage (there are some issues that only an experienced roofing specialist could discover)
  • Insurance valuation methods can be confusing and difficult to determine based on your individual needs and circumstances. For the best outcome, don’t go it alone when making important decisions that could end up costing you thousands in the end.

What Happens Next

Filing a roof damage insurance claim is not a “walk in the park,” but it is well worth your time (and money!) as a home or property owner. Here is how it typically works:

  • STEP 1 – Get an inspection from Blackhill Roofing Systems. If damage exists and it’s more than your deductible – file an insurance claim.
  • STEP 2 – Meet with your Insurance Adjuster. the first thing your insurance company will do is assign a claim representative to manage your case. That representative schedules an Adjuster to physically come to your property and review the damage.
  • STEP 3 – Set up a meeting for your Insurance Adjuster, you, and your Blackhill Roofing Systems representative to attend. This is the meeting that you need your roofer to attend in order to make sure all the damages are recorded and covered. Your roofer can also help inform the adjuster of any local building codes that may impact how repairs must be done in your area.
  • STEP 4 – Adjuster processes your claim. If documented and approved, your insurance company will issue you an initial ACV check so you can begin the reroofing process. (Actual Cash Value or percentage of roof value)
  • STEP 5 – Pay your deductible to the insurance company. Blackhill Roofing Systems offers financing to assist with this as needed. As a standard practice of business integrity Blackhill Roofing Systems does not cover your deductible.
  • *NOTE* – if a roofing contractor offers to “pay for, cover, or absorb” your deductible – do not use them! Not only is it illegal in the State of Texas, but absorbing your deductible means that contractor will reduce their cost somewhere else.  Ie:  if you are covered for $2500 up front, they will reduce the product or labor cost by $2500 on the back end – meaning you are still paying for it via lack of quality or workmanship. 
  • STEP 6 – Remaining balance check issued on/after work is complete. This is the final amount presented to the contractor for all your roofing repairs.  So there are 3 payment parts:  1) initial percentage; 2) your deductible; 3) final payment in full.

Get In Touch

Get A Free Roofing Assessment

Blackhill Roofing

Get In Touch

Get A Free Roofing Assessment

Blackhill Roofing